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Hernández-Arvizu EE, Asada M, Kawazu SI, Vega CA, Rodríguez-Torres A, Morales-García R, Pavón-Rocha AJ, León-Ávila G, Rivas-Santiago B, Mosqueda J. Antiparasitic Evaluation of Aquiluscidin, a Cathelicidin Obtained from Crotalus aquilus, and the Vcn-23 Derivative Peptide against Babesia bovis, B. bigemina and B. ovata. Pathogens 2024; 13:496. [PMID: 38921794 PMCID: PMC11206629 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13060496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Babesiosis is a growing concern due to the increased prevalence of this infectious disease caused by Babesia protozoan parasites, affecting various animals and humans. With rising worries over medication side effects and emerging drug resistance, there is a notable shift towards researching babesiacidal agents. Antimicrobial peptides, specifically cathelicidins known for their broad-spectrum activity and immunomodulatory functions, have emerged as potential candidates. Aquiluscidin, a cathelicidin from Crotalus aquilus, and its derivative Vcn-23, have been of interest due to their previously observed antibacterial effects and non-hemolytic activity. This work aimed to characterize the effect of these peptides against three Babesia species. Results showed Aquiluscidin's significant antimicrobial effects on Babesia species, reducing the B. bigemina growth rate and exhibiting IC50 values of 14.48 and 20.70 μM against B. ovata and B. bovis, respectively. However, its efficacy was impacted by serum presence in culture, and it showed no inhibition against a B. bovis strain grown in serum-supplemented medium. Conversely, Vcn-23 did not demonstrate babesiacidal activity. In conclusion, Aquiluscidin shows antibabesia activity in vitro and its efficacy is affected by the presence of serum in the culture medium. Nevertheless, this peptide represents a candidate for further investigation of its antiparasitic properties and provides insights into potential alternatives for the treatment of babesiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin Esaú Hernández-Arvizu
- Immunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Natural Sciences College, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Queretaro 76230, Mexico; (E.E.H.-A.); (R.M.-G.); (A.J.P.-R.)
- PhD Program in Natural Sciences, Natural Sciences College, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Queretaro 76230, Mexico
| | - Masahito Asada
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medcine, Inadacho, Nishi 2-13, Obihiro 080-8555, Hokkaido, Japan; (M.A.); (S.-I.K.)
| | - Shin-Ichiro Kawazu
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medcine, Inadacho, Nishi 2-13, Obihiro 080-8555, Hokkaido, Japan; (M.A.); (S.-I.K.)
| | - Carlos Agustín Vega
- Natural Sciences College, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Queretaro 76230, Mexico; (C.A.V.); (A.R.-T.)
| | - Angelina Rodríguez-Torres
- Natural Sciences College, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Queretaro 76230, Mexico; (C.A.V.); (A.R.-T.)
| | - Rodrigo Morales-García
- Immunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Natural Sciences College, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Queretaro 76230, Mexico; (E.E.H.-A.); (R.M.-G.); (A.J.P.-R.)
| | - Aldo J. Pavón-Rocha
- Immunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Natural Sciences College, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Queretaro 76230, Mexico; (E.E.H.-A.); (R.M.-G.); (A.J.P.-R.)
| | - Gloria León-Ávila
- Department of Zoology, National School of Biological Sciences, National Polytechnic Institute, Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, C.P. 11340, Casco de Santo Tomas, Mexico City 11340, Mexico;
| | - Bruno Rivas-Santiago
- Medical Research Unit Zacatecas-Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Zacatecas 98053, Mexico;
| | - Juan Mosqueda
- Immunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Natural Sciences College, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Queretaro 76230, Mexico; (E.E.H.-A.); (R.M.-G.); (A.J.P.-R.)
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Almeida CV, de Oliveira CFR, Almeida LHDO, Ramalho SR, Gutierrez CDO, Sardi JDCO, Franco OL, Cardoso MH, Macedo MLR. Computer-made peptide RQ18 acts as a dual antifungal and antibiofilm peptide though membrane-associated mechanisms of action. Arch Biochem Biophys 2024; 753:109884. [PMID: 38218361 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2024.109884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
The spread of fungi resistant to conventional drugs has become a threatening problem. In this context, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been considered as one of the main alternatives for controlling fungal infections. Here, we report the antifungal and antibiofilm activity and some clues about peptide RQ18's mechanism of action against Candida and Cryptococcus. This peptide inhibited yeast growth from 2.5 μM and killed all Candida tropicalis cells within 2 h incubation. Moreover, it showed a synergistic effect with antifungal agent the amphotericin b. RQ18 reduced biofilm formation and promoted C. tropicalis mature biofilms eradication. RQ18's mechanism of action involves fungal cell membrane damage, which was confirmed by the results of RQ18 in the presence of free ergosterol in the medium and fluorescence microscopy by Sytox green. No toxic effects were observed in murine macrophage cell lines and Galleria mellonella larvae, suggesting fungal target selectivity. Therefore, peptide RQ18 represents a promising strategy as a dual antifungal and antibiofilm agent that contributes to infection control without damaging mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudiane Vilharroel Almeida
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, FACFAN, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Caio Fernando Ramalho de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, FACFAN, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Luís Henrique de Oliveira Almeida
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, FACFAN, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Suellen Rodrigues Ramalho
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, FACFAN, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Camila de Oliveira Gutierrez
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, FACFAN, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Janaina de Cassia Orlandi Sardi
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, FACFAN, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Octávio Luiz Franco
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil; Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Marlon Henrique Cardoso
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, FACFAN, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil; S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil; Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Maria Ligia Rodrigues Macedo
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, FACFAN, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
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Oshiro KGN, Freitas CDP, Rezende SB, Orozco RMQ, Chan LY, Lawrence N, Lião LM, Macedo MLR, Craik DJ, Cardoso MH, Franco OL. Deciphering the structure and mechanism of action of computer-designed mastoparan peptides. FEBS J 2024; 291:865-883. [PMID: 37997610 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Mastoparans are cationic peptides with multifunctional pharmacological properties. Mastoparan-R1 and mastoparan-R4 were computationally designed based on native mastoparan-L from wasps and have improved therapeutic potential for the control of bacterial infections. Here, we evaluated whether these peptides maintain their activity against Escherichia coli strains under a range of salt concentrations. We found that mastoparan-R1 and mastoparan-R4 preserved their activity under the conditions tested, including having antibacterial activities at physiological salt concentrations. The overall structure of the peptides was investigated using circular dichroism spectroscopy in a range of solvents. No significant changes in secondary structure were observed (random coil in aqueous solutions and α-helix in hydrophobic and anionic environments). The three-dimensional structures of mastoparan-R1 and mastoparan-R4 were elucidated through nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, revealing amphipathic α-helical segments for Leu3-Ile13 (mastoparan-R1) and Leu3-Ile14 (mastoparan-R4). Possible membrane-association mechanisms for mastoparan-R1 and mastoparan-R4 were investigated through surface plasmon resonance and leakage studies with synthetic POPC and POPC/POPG (4:1) lipid bilayers. Mastoparan-L had the highest affinity for both membrane systems, whereas the two analogs had weaker association, but improved selectivity for lysing anionic membranes. This finding was also supported by molecular dynamics simulations, in which mastoparan-R1 and mastoparan-R4 were found to have greater interactions with bacteria-like membranes compared with model mammalian membranes. Despite having a few differences in their functional and structural profiles, the mastoparan-R1 analog stood out with the highest activity, greater bacteriostatic potential, and selectivity for lysing anionic membranes. This study reinforces the potential of mastoparan-R1 as a drug candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen G N Oshiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brazil
- S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brazil
| | - Carlos D P Freitas
- Laboratório de RMN, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Samilla B Rezende
- S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brazil
| | - Raquel M Q Orozco
- S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brazil
| | - Lai Y Chan
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nicole Lawrence
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Luciano M Lião
- Laboratório de RMN, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Maria L R Macedo
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Marlon H Cardoso
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brazil
- S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brazil
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Octávio L Franco
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brazil
- S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brazil
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Almeida LHDO, Ramalho SR, Almeida CV, Gutierrez CDO, Sardi JDCO, Miranda AD, Oliveira RAD, Rezende SBD, Crusca E, Franco OL, Oliveira CFRD, Cardoso MH, Macedo MLR. A potent candicidal peptide designed based on an encrypted peptide from a proteinase inhibitor. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2024; 1868:130583. [PMID: 38360076 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2024.130583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) represent an alternative in the treatment of fungal infections associated with countless deaths. Here, we report a new AMP, named KWI-19, which was designed based on a peptide encrypted in the sequence of an Inga laurina Kunitz-type inhibitor (ILTI). KWI-19 inhibited the growth of Candida species and acted as a fungicidal agent from 2.5 to 20 μmol L-1, also showing synergistic activity with amphotericin B. Kinetic assays showed that KWI-19 killed Candida tropicalis cells within 60 min. We also report the membrane-associated mechanisms of action of KWI-19 and its interaction with ergosterol. KWI-19 was also characterized as a potent antibiofilm peptide, with activity against C. tropicalis. Finally, non-toxicity was reported against Galleria mellonella larvae, thus strengthening the interest in all the bioactivities mentioned above. This study extends our knowledge on how AMPs can be engineered from peptides encrypted in larger proteins and their potential as candicidal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Henrique de Oliveira Almeida
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, FACFAN, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Suellen Rodrigues Ramalho
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, FACFAN, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Claudiane Vilharroel Almeida
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, FACFAN, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Camila de Oliveira Gutierrez
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, FACFAN, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Janaína de Cassia Orlandi Sardi
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, FACFAN, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Antonio de Miranda
- Departamento de Biofísica da Universidade Federal de São Paulo - SP, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Abreu de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, FACFAN, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Samilla Beatriz de Rezende
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, MS, Brazil
| | - Edson Crusca
- Instituto de Química, Departamento de Bioquímica e Química Tecnológica, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Octávio Luiz Franco
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, MS, Brazil; Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Caio Fernando Ramalho de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, FACFAN, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Marlon Henrique Cardoso
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, FACFAN, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil; S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, MS, Brazil; Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Maria Lígia Rodrigues Macedo
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, FACFAN, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil.
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Chatupheeraphat C, Peamchai J, Luk-in S, Yainoy S, Eiamphungporn W. Synergistic effect of two antimicrobial peptides, BP203 and MAP-0403 J-2 with conventional antibiotics against colistin-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0294287. [PMID: 37972089 PMCID: PMC10653547 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug-resistant Enterobacterales infections are a great health concern due to the lack of effective treatments. Consequently, finding novel antimicrobials or combining therapies becomes a crucial approach in addressing this problem. BP203 and MAP-0403 J-2, novel antimicrobial peptides, have exhibited effectiveness against Gram-negative bacteria. In this study, we assessed the in vitro antibacterial activity of BP203 and MAP-0403 J-2, along with their synergistic interaction with conventional antibiotics including colistin, rifampicin, chloramphenicol, ceftazidime, meropenem, and ciprofloxacin against colistin-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of BP203 and MAP-0403 J-2 against tested E. coli isolates were 2-16 and 8-32 μg/mL, respectively. However, for the majority of K. pneumoniae isolates, the MIC of BP203 and MAP-0403 J-2 were >128 μg/mL. Notably, our results demonstrated a synergistic effect when combining BP203 with rifampicin, meropenem, or chloramphenicol, primarily observed in most K. pneumoniae isolates. In contrast, no synergism was evident between BP203 and colistin, chloramphenicol, ceftazidime, rifampicin, or ciprofloxacin when tested against all E. coli isolates. Furthermore, synergistic effects between MAP-0403 J-2 and rifampicin, ceftazidime or colistin were observed against the majority of E. coli isolates. Similarly, the combined effect of MAP-0403 J-2 with rifampicin or chloramphenicol was synergistic in the majority of K. pneumoniae isolates. Importantly, these peptides displayed the stability at high temperatures, across a wide range of pH values, in specific serum concentrations and under physiological salt conditions. Both peptides also showed no significant hemolysis and cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. Our findings suggested that BP203 and MAP-0403 J-2 are promising candidates against colistin-resistant E. coli. Meanwhile, the synergism of these peptides and certain antibiotics could be of great therapeutic value as antimicrobial drugs against infections caused by colistin-resistant E. coli and K. pneumoniae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chawalit Chatupheeraphat
- Center for Research Innovation and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Jiratchaya Peamchai
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sirirat Luk-in
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sakda Yainoy
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Warawan Eiamphungporn
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Duque HM, Rodrigues G, Santos LS, Franco OL. The biological role of charge distribution in linear antimicrobial peptides. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:287-302. [PMID: 36720196 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2173736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) have received particular attention due to their capacity to kill bacteria. Although much is known about them, peptides are currently being further researched. A large number of AMPs have been discovered, but only a few have been approved for topical use, due to their promiscuity and other challenges, which need to be overcome. AREAS COVERED AMPs are diverse in structure. Consequently, they have varied action mechanisms when targeting microorganisms or eukaryotic cells. Herein, the authors focus on linear peptides, particularly those that are alpha-helical structured, and examine how their charge distribution and hydrophobic amino acids could modulate their biological activity. EXPERT OPINION The world currently needs urgent solutions to the infective problems caused by resistant pathogens. In order to start the race for antimicrobial development from the charge distribution viewpoint, bioinformatic tools will be necessary. Currently, there is no software available that allows to discriminate charge distribution in AMPs and predicts the biological effects of this event. Furthermore, there is no software available that predicts the side-chain length of residues and its role in biological functions. More specialized software is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Morales Duque
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, PC: (CEP) 70.790-160, Brasília-DF, Brazil
| | - Gisele Rodrigues
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, PC: (CEP) 70.790-160, Brasília-DF, Brazil
| | - Lucas Souza Santos
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, PC: (CEP) 70.790-160, Brasília-DF, Brazil
| | - Octávio Luiz Franco
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, PC: (CEP) 70.790-160, Brasília-DF, Brazil.,S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, PC: (CEP) 79117-010, Campo Grande-MS, Brazil
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Muhammad T, Strömstedt AA, Gunasekera S, Göransson U. Transforming Cross-Linked Cyclic Dimers of KR-12 into Stable and Potent Antimicrobial Drug Leads. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020504. [PMID: 36831040 PMCID: PMC9953701 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Is it possible to enhance structural stability and biological activity of KR-12, a truncated antimicrobial peptide derived from the human host defense peptide LL-37? Based on the mapping of essential residues in KR-12, we have designed backbone-cyclized dimers, cross-linked via a disulfide bond to improve peptide stability, while at the same time improving on-target activity. Circular dichroism showed that each of the dimers adopts a primarily alpha-helical conformation (55% helical content) when bound to lyso-phosphatidylglycerol micelles, indicating that the helical propensity of the parent peptide is maintained in the new cross-linked cyclic form. Compared to KR-12, one of the cross-linked dimers showed 16-fold more potent antimicrobial activity against human pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans and 8-fold increased activity against Escherichia coli. Furthermore, these peptides retained antimicrobial activity at physiologically relevant conditions, including in the presence of salts and in human serum, and with selective Gram-negative antibacterial activity in rich growth media. In addition to giving further insight into the structure-activity relationship of KR-12, the current work demonstrates that by combining peptide stabilization strategies (dimerization, backbone cyclization, and cross-linking via a disulfide bond), KR-12 can be engineered into a potent antimicrobial peptide drug lead with potential utility in a therapeutic context.
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Silva PSE, Guindo AS, Oliveira PHC, de Moraes LFRN, Boleti APDA, Ferreira MA, de Oliveira CFR, Macedo MLR, Rossato L, Simionatto S, Migliolo L. Evaluation of the Synthetic Multifunctional Peptide Hp-MAP3 Derivative of Temporin-PTa. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:42. [PMID: 36668862 PMCID: PMC9866994 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15010042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, antimicrobial peptides isolated from amphibian toxins have gained attention as new multifunctional drugs interacting with different molecular targets. We aimed to rationally design a new peptide from temporin-PTa. Hp-MAP3 (NH2-LLKKVLALLKKVL-COOH), net charge (+4), hydrophobicity (0.69), the content of hydrophobic residues (69%), and hydrophobic moment (0.73). For the construction of the analog peptide, the physicochemical characteristics were reorganized into hydrophilic and hydrophobic residues with the addition of lysines and leucines. The minimum inhibitory concentration was 2.7 to 43 μM against the growth of Gram-negative and positive bacteria, and the potential for biofilm eradication was 173.2 μM. Within 20 min, the peptide Hp-MAP3 (10.8 μM) prompted 100% of the damage to E. coli cells. At 43.3 μM, eliminated 100% of S. aureus within 5 min. The effects against yeast species of the Candida genus ranged from 5.4 to 86.6 μM. Hp-MAP3 presents cytotoxic activity against tumor HeLa at a concentration of 21.6 μM with an IC50 of 10.4 µM. Furthermore, the peptide showed hemolytic activity against murine erythrocytes. Structural studies carried out by circular dichroism showed that Hp-MAP3, while in the presence of 50% trifluoroethanol or SDS, an α-helix secondary structure. Finally, Amphipathic Hp-MAP3 building an important model for the design of new multifunctional molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Souza e Silva
- S-Inova Biotech, Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Alexya Sandim Guindo
- S-Inova Biotech, Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Pedro Henrique Cardoso Oliveira
- S-Inova Biotech, Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Paula de Araújo Boleti
- S-Inova Biotech, Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Marcos Antonio Ferreira
- S-Inova Biotech, Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Caio Fernando Ramalho de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, Unidade de Tecnologia de Alimentos e da Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Maria Ligia Rodrigues Macedo
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, Unidade de Tecnologia de Alimentos e da Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Luana Rossato
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados UFGD, Dourados 79825-070, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Simone Simionatto
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados UFGD, Dourados 79825-070, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ludovico Migliolo
- S-Inova Biotech, Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
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9
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Deciphering Structure-Function Relationship Unveils Salt-Resistant Mode of Action of a Potent MRSA-Inhibiting Antimicrobial Peptide, RR14. J Bacteriol 2022; 204:e0031222. [PMID: 36377870 PMCID: PMC9765028 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00312-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria lead to considerable morbidity and mortality, threatening public health worldwide. In particular, infections of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in hospital and community settings are becoming a serious health problem. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are considered novel therapeutic targets against MDR bacteria. However, salt sensitivity reduces the bactericidal potency of AMPs, posing a major obstacle for their development as antibiotics. Thus, the design and development of salt-insensitive peptides with potent antibacterial activity is imperative. Here, we employed biochemical and biophysical examinations coupled with molecular modeling to systematically investigate the structure-function relationship of a novel salt-insensitive AMP, RR14. The secondary structure of RR14 was characterized as an apparent α-helix, a structure that confers strong membrane-permeabilizing ability targeting bacterial-mimetic membranes. Additionally, the bioactive structure of RR14 was determined in complex with dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) micelles, where it possesses a central α-helical segment comprising residues R4 to K13 (R4-K13). RR14 was observed to orient itself into the DPC micelle with its N terminus and the α-helical segment (I5-R10) buried inside the micelles, which is essential for membrane permeabilization and bactericidal activity. Moreover, the specific and featured arrangement of positively charged residues of RR14 on its amphipathic helical conformation has great potential to render its strong salt resistance ability. Our study explored the structure-function relationship of RR14, explaining its possible mode of action against MRSA and other microbes. The insights obtained are of great applicability for the development of new antibacterial agents. IMPORTANCE Many antimicrobial peptides have been observed to become inactive in the presence of high salt concentrations. To further develop new and novel AMPs with potent bactericidal activity and salt insensitivity, understanding the structural basis for salt resistance is important. Here, we employed biochemical and biophysical examinations to systematically investigate the structure-function relationship of a novel salt-insensitive AMP, RR14. RR14 was observed to orient itself into DPC micelles with the N terminus and the α-helical segment (I5-R10) buried inside the micelles, which is essential for membrane permeabilization and bactericidal activity. Moreover, the specific and featured arrangement of cationic residues of RR14 on its amphipathic helical conformation renders its strong salt resistance ability. The insights obtained are of great applicability for developing new antibacterial agents.
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10
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Efficacy of natural antimicrobial peptides versus peptidomimetic analogues: a systematic review. Future Med Chem 2022; 14:1899-1921. [PMID: 36421051 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2022-0160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims: This systematic review was carried out to determine whether synthetic peptidomimetics exhibit significant advantages over antimicrobial peptides in terms of in vitro potency. Structural features - molecular weight, charge and length - were examined for correlations with activity. Methods: Original research articles reporting minimum inhibitory concentration values against Escherichia coli, indexed until 31 December 2020, were searched in PubMed/ScienceDirect/Google Scholar and evaluated using mixed-effects models. Results: In vitro antimicrobial activity of peptidomimetics resembled that of antimicrobial peptides. Net charge significantly affected minimum inhibitory concentration values (p < 0.001) with a trend of 4.6% decrease for increments in charge by +1. Conclusion: AMPs and antibacterial peptidomimetics exhibit similar potencies, providing an opportunity to exploit the advantageous stability and bioavailability typically associated with peptidomimetics.
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11
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Cardoso PHDO, Boleti APDA, Silva PSE, Mukoyama LTH, Guindo AS, de Moraes LFRN, de Oliveira CFR, Macedo MLR, Carvalho CME, de Castro AP, Migliolo L. Evaluation of a Novel Synthetic Peptide Derived from Cytolytic Mycotoxin Candidalysin. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14100696. [PMID: 36287965 PMCID: PMC9610734 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14100696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of neuroinflammation in neurology is becoming increasingly apparent. In addition to neuroinflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis, the role of neuroinflammation has been identified in many non-inflammatory neurological disorders such as stroke, epilepsy, and cancer. The immune response within the brain involves the presence of CNS resident cells; mainly glial cells, such as microglia, the CNS resident macrophages. We evaluated the peptide Ca-MAP1 bioinspired on the C. albicans immature cytolytic toxin candidalysin to develop a less hemolytic peptide with anti-neuroinflammatory, antibacterial, and cytotoxic activity against tumor cells. In silico and in vitro studies were performed at various concentrations. Ca-MAP1 exhibits low hemolytic activity at lower concentrations and was not cytotoxic to MRC-5 and BV-2 cells. Ca-MAP1 showed activity against Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli ATCC, E. coli KPC, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC. Furthermore, Ca-MAP1 exhibits anti-neuroinflammatory activity in the BV-2 microglia model, with 93.78% inhibition of nitrate production at 18.1 µM. Ca-MAP1 presents cytotoxic activity against tumor cell line NCI-H292 at 36.3 μM, with an IC50 of 38.4 µM. Ca-MAP1 demonstrates results that qualify it to be evaluated in the next steps to promote the control of infections and provide an alternative antitumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Henrique de Oliveira Cardoso
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula de Araújo Boleti
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Souza e Silva
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Lincoln Takashi Hota Mukoyama
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Alexya Sandim Guindo
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Luiz Filipe Ramalho Nunes de Moraes
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Caio Fernando Ramalho de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, Unidade de Tecnologia de Alimentos e da Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Maria Ligia Rodrigues Macedo
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, Unidade de Tecnologia de Alimentos e da Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Cristiano Marcelo Espínola Carvalho
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Alinne Pereira de Castro
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ludovico Migliolo
- S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-67-33123473
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12
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Shahraki PZ, Farrokh P. PL‐101‐WK
, a novel tryptophan‐ and lysine‐rich peptide with antimicrobial activity against
Staphylococcus aureus. Pept Sci (Hoboken) 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pep2.24296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Parisa Farrokh
- School of Biology Damghan University Damghan Iran
- Institute of Biological Sciences Damghan University Damghan Iran
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13
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Antimicrobial peptides for tackling cystic fibrosis related bacterial infections: a review. Microbiol Res 2022; 263:127152. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2022.127152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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14
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Zhang J, Zhang J, Wang Y, Zhang X, Nie T, Liu Y. Strategies to Improve the Activity and Biocompatibility: Modification of Peptide Antibiotics. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2022; 19:376-385. [PMID: 35713924 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2021.0112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
As host defense peptides, peptide antibiotics exist in almost all organisms. Many of their activities come from their inactivation of bacteria, yeast, fungi, and even cancer cells. However, natural peptide antibiotics are relatively poor in stability and penetration, and have high hemolytic properties, which makes them difficult to directly apply. Therefore, natural peptide antibiotics can be modified to enhance their activity and biocompatibility. Based on the characteristics of amino acids, amino acid substitutions can be performed to study the effect of amino acid types on the activity of peptide antibiotics. The design of ultrashort peptides, cyclic peptides, and self-assembling peptides is also a way to improve the activity of peptide antibiotics. In addition, antibacterial peptides can also be conjugated with antibiotics, lipids, or metal ions to prepare antibacterial peptides with special activities. This review introduces several methods for modifying peptide antibiotics and their specific applications, providing a theoretical basis for the further application of peptide antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Zhang
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Yitong Wang
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Ting Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanan Liu
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
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15
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Deepthi V, Mohanakumar KP, Rajamma U. Efficacy of defensins as neutralizing agents against the deadly SARS-CoV-2. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 41:2911-2925. [PMID: 35189779 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2041487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection causes asymptomatic to severe human respiratory diseases. Vaccinations are effective only to a certain extent, and the disease recurs with milder symptoms even after booster doses. Hence, we hypothesize that antiviral therapy in conjunction with vaccination is the need of the hour for containing the disease. SARS-CoV-2 enters the host cell through interaction between viral spike (S) protein and human Angiotensin II converting enzyme2 (ACE2). So, any S-protein neutralizing molecule could be a potential antiviral moiety. The interaction-interface architecture indicates that cationic peptides effectively bind to anionic interface residues of S protein-receptor binding domain (S-RBD). Subsequently, we adopted molecular docking and simulation approaches to examine the binding affinity of cationic human α and β defensins, HNP1 and HBD2 with S-RBD. We observed strong hydrogen bonds, electrostatic, salt bridge, and hydrophobic interactions between these defensins and S-RBD with binding energy (BE) of -10.7 kcal/mol. Interestingly, defensins from Zea mays (ZmD32), Solanum lycopersicum (TPP3), and Sorghum bicolor (DEF1_SORBI) exhibited approximately similar BE of -11.1 kcal/mol, -11.9 kcal/mol, and -12.6 kcal/mol respectively, comparable to ACE2 (BE= -11.9 kcal/mol). Molecular dynamics simulation of S-RBD complexes formed with HBD2, ZmD32 and TPP3, showed stable associations for 100 ns. Results of in-silico studies demonstrated higher binding affinity of more positively-charged peptides with S-RBD, suggesting the potential of plant defensins to block ACE2 binding of S-RBD. These results warrant experimental validation. However these findings indicate the usefulness of plant defensin homologues as neutralizing antiviral agents for use as ideal prophylactic and therapeutic drugs for COVID-19.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varughese Deepthi
- Centre for Development and Aging Research, Inter University Centre for Biomedical Research & Super Speciality Hospital, Mahatma Gandhi University Campus at Thalappady, Kerala, India
| | - Kochupurackal P Mohanakumar
- Centre for Development and Aging Research, Inter University Centre for Biomedical Research & Super Speciality Hospital, Mahatma Gandhi University Campus at Thalappady, Kerala, India
- Virus Research and Diagnostic Centre, Inter University Centre for Biomedical Research & Super Speciality Hospital, Mahatma Gandhi University Campus at Thalappady, Kerala, India
| | - Usha Rajamma
- Centre for Development and Aging Research, Inter University Centre for Biomedical Research & Super Speciality Hospital, Mahatma Gandhi University Campus at Thalappady, Kerala, India
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16
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Bobde SS, Alsaab FM, Wang G, Van Hoek ML. Ab initio Designed Antimicrobial Peptides Against Gram-Negative Bacteria. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:715246. [PMID: 34867843 PMCID: PMC8636942 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.715246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are ubiquitous amongst living organisms and are part of the innate immune system with the ability to kill pathogens directly or indirectly by modulating the immune system. AMPs have potential as a novel therapeutic against bacteria due to their quick-acting mechanism of action that prevents bacteria from developing resistance. Additionally, there is a dire need for therapeutics with activity specifically against Gram-negative bacterial infections that are intrinsically difficult to treat, with or without acquired drug resistance. Development of new antibiotics has slowed in recent years and novel therapeutics (like AMPs) with a focus against Gram-negative bacteria are needed. We designed eight novel AMPs, termed PHNX peptides, using ab initio computational design (database filtering technology combined with the novel positional analysis on APD3 dataset of AMPs with activity against Gram-negative bacteria) and assessed their theoretical function using published machine learning algorithms, and finally, validated their activity in our laboratory. These AMPs were tested to establish their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) under CLSI methodology against antibiotic resistant and antibiotic susceptible Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Laboratory-based experimental results were compared to computationally predicted activities for each of the peptides to ascertain the accuracy of the computational tools used. PHNX-1 demonstrated antibacterial activity (under high and low-salt conditions) against antibiotic resistant and susceptible strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and PHNX-4 to -8 demonstrated low-salt antibacterial activity only. The AMPs were then evaluated for cytotoxicity using hemolysis against human red blood cells and demonstrated some hemolysis which needs to be further evaluated. In this study, we successfully developed a design methodology to create synthetic AMPs with a narrow spectrum of activity where the PHNX AMPs demonstrated higher antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria compared to Gram-positive bacteria. Thus, these peptides present novel synthetic peptides with a potential for therapeutic use. Based on our findings, we propose upfront selection of the peptide dataset for analysis, an additional step of positional analysis to add to the ab initio database filtering technology (DFT) method, and we present laboratory data on the novel, synthetically designed AMPs to validate the results of the computational approach. We aim to conduct future in vivo studies which could establish these AMPs for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shravani S. Bobde
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, United States
| | - Fahad M. Alsaab
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, United States
- College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Guangshuan Wang
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Monique L. Van Hoek
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, United States
- *Correspondence: Monique L. Van Hoek,
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17
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Dong Y, Liu L, Sun J, Peng W, Dong X, Gu Y, Ma Z, Gan D, Liu P. Phosphonate/quaternary ammonium copolymers as high-efficiency antibacterial coating for metallic substrates. J Mater Chem B 2021; 9:8321-8329. [PMID: 34522945 DOI: 10.1039/d1tb01676h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Designing a coating material with efficient bactericidal property to cope with bacterial associated infections is highly desirable for metallic implants and devices. Here, we report phosphonate/quaternary ammonium copolymers, p(DEMMP-co-TMAEMA), as the new type of metal anchorable high-efficiency antibacterial coating. Seven p(DEMMP-co-TMAEMA) polymers with varied cationic components were precisely prepared via random radical polymerization. Copolymers were constructed on titanium alloy (TC4) substrates based on strong covalent bonding between the phosphonate group and metallic substrates through a one-step process as evidenced by XPS and water contact angle tests. A robust relationship between the composition of the copolymers and the bactericidal ability endowed to TC4 substrates was established. Results showed that the copolymer, with the pDEMMP content even as low as 6.3%, was able to anchor onto TC4 substrates. With the increase of cationic pTMAEMA content from 4.0 to 93.7% in the coating copolymer, the bactericidal ability endowed to the TC4 substrates was steadily increased from 39.4 to 98.8% for S. aureus and from 70.0 to 99.4% for E. coli after 8 h's of contacting. All p(DEMMP-co-TMAEMA) coating on TC4 substrates showed limited cytotoxicity to C2C12 cells. Notably, the phosphonate/quaternary amine copolymers can be easily constructed on diverse biomedical metals such as titanium (Ti), stainless steel (SS), and Ni/Cr alloys with significantly increased antibacterial performance, demonstrating the potency of the copolymer as the general high-efficiency antibacterial coating for diverse bio-metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaning Dong
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bio-functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China.
| | - Li Liu
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bio-functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China.
| | - Jin Sun
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bio-functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China.
| | - Wan Peng
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bio-functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China.
| | - Xiaohan Dong
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bio-functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China.
| | - Yahui Gu
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bio-functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China.
| | - Zhuangzhuang Ma
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bio-functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China.
| | - Donglin Gan
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bio-functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China.
| | - Pingsheng Liu
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bio-functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China.
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18
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Gan BH, Gaynord J, Rowe SM, Deingruber T, Spring DR. The multifaceted nature of antimicrobial peptides: current synthetic chemistry approaches and future directions. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:7820-7880. [PMID: 34042120 PMCID: PMC8689412 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs00729c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial infections caused by 'superbugs' are increasing globally, and conventional antibiotics are becoming less effective against these bacteria, such that we risk entering a post-antibiotic era. In recent years, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have gained significant attention for their clinical potential as a new class of antibiotics to combat antimicrobial resistance. In this review, we discuss several facets of AMPs including their diversity, physicochemical properties, mechanisms of action, and effects of environmental factors on these features. This review outlines various chemical synthetic strategies that have been applied to develop novel AMPs, including chemical modifications of existing peptides, semi-synthesis, and computer-aided design. We will also highlight novel AMP structures, including hybrids, antimicrobial dendrimers and polypeptides, peptidomimetics, and AMP-drug conjugates and consider recent developments in their chemical synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bee Ha Gan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.
| | - Josephine Gaynord
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.
| | - Sam M Rowe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.
| | - Tomas Deingruber
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.
| | - David R Spring
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.
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19
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Shwaiki LN, Lynch KM, Arendt EK. Future of antimicrobial peptides derived from plants in food application – A focus on synthetic peptides. Trends Food Sci Technol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2021.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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20
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Almeida CV, de Oliveira CFR, Dos Santos EL, Dos Santos HF, Júnior EC, Marchetto R, da Cruz LA, Ferreira AMT, Gomes VM, Taveira GB, Costa BO, Franco OL, Cardoso MH, Macedo MLR. Differential interactions of the antimicrobial peptide, RQ18, with phospholipids and cholesterol modulate its selectivity for microorganism membranes. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2021; 1865:129937. [PMID: 34052310 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2021.129937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are molecules with potential application for the treatment of microorganism infections. We, herein, describe the structure, activity, and mechanism of action of RQ18, an α-helical AMP that displays antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and yeasts from the Candida genus. METHODS A physicochemical-guided design assisted by computer tools was used to obtain our lead peptide candidate, named RQ18. This peptide was assayed against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, and mammalian cells to determine its selectivity index. The secondary structure and the mechanism of action of RQ18 were investigated using circular dichroism, large unilamellar vesicles, and molecular dynamic simulations. RESULTS RQ18 was not cytotoxic to human lung fibroblasts, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, red blood cells, or Vero cells at MIC values, exhibiting a high selectivity index. Circular dichroism analysis and molecular dynamic simulations revealed that RQ18 presents varying structural profiles in aqueous solution, TFE/water mixtures, SDS micelles, and lipid bilayers. The peptide was virtually unable to release carboxyfluorescein from large unilamellar vesicles composed of POPC/cholesterol, model that mimics the eukaryotic membrane, indicating that vesicles' net charges and the presence of cholesterol may be related with RQ18 selectivity for bacterial and fungal cell surfaces. CONCLUSIONS RQ18 was characterized as a membrane-active peptide with dual antibacterial and antifungal activities, without compromising mammalian cells viability, thus reinforcing its therapeutic application. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE These results provide further insight into the complex process of AMPs interaction with biological membranes, in special with systems that mimic prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudiane V Almeida
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Caio F R de Oliveira
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil; Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil; Oncolytic Anticancer Drugs, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Edson L Dos Santos
- Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Helder F Dos Santos
- Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Edson C Júnior
- Instituto de Química, Departamento de Bioquímica e Química Tecnológica, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Reinaldo Marchetto
- Instituto de Química, Departamento de Bioquímica e Química Tecnológica, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leticia A da Cruz
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Alda Maria T Ferreira
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Valdirene M Gomes
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gabriel B Taveira
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bruna O Costa
- S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Octávio L Franco
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Marlon H Cardoso
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Maria Lígia R Macedo
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
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Ohtsuka Y, Inagaki H. In silico identification and functional validation of linear cationic α-helical antimicrobial peptides in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12619. [PMID: 32724213 PMCID: PMC7387483 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69485-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
We developed a computing method to identify linear cationic α-helical antimicrobial peptides (LCAMPs) in the genome of Ciona intestinalis based on its structural and physicochemical features. Using this method, 22 candidates of Ciona LCAMPs, including well-known antimicrobial peptides, were identified from 21,975 non-redundant amino acid sequences in Ciona genome database, Ghost database. We also experimentally confirmed the antimicrobial activities of five LCAMP candidates, and three of them were found to be active in the presence of 500 mM NaCl, nearly equivalent to the salt concentration of seawater. Membrane topology prediction suggested that salt resistance of Ciona LCAMPs might be influenced by hydrophobic interactions between the peptide and membrane. Further, we applied our method to Xenopus tropicalis genome and found 11 LCAMP candidates. Thus, our method may serve as an effective and powerful tool for searching LCAMPs that are difficult to find using conventional homology-based methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukio Ohtsuka
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8566, Japan.
| | - Hidetoshi Inagaki
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8566, Japan.
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22
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Mercer DK, Torres MDT, Duay SS, Lovie E, Simpson L, von Köckritz-Blickwede M, de la Fuente-Nunez C, O'Neil DA, Angeles-Boza AM. Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing of Antimicrobial Peptides to Better Predict Efficacy. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:326. [PMID: 32733816 PMCID: PMC7358464 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
During the development of antimicrobial peptides (AMP) as potential therapeutics, antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) stands as an essential part of the process in identification and optimisation of candidate AMP. Standard methods for AST, developed almost 60 years ago for testing conventional antibiotics, are not necessarily fit for purpose when it comes to determining the susceptibility of microorganisms to AMP. Without careful consideration of the parameters comprising AST there is a risk of failing to identify novel antimicrobials at a time when antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is leading the planet toward a post-antibiotic era. More physiologically/clinically relevant AST will allow better determination of the preclinical activity of drug candidates and allow the identification of lead compounds. An important consideration is the efficacy of AMP in biological matrices replicating sites of infection, e.g., blood/plasma/serum, lung bronchiolar lavage fluid/sputum, urine, biofilms, etc., as this will likely be more predictive of clinical efficacy. Additionally, specific AST for different target microorganisms may help to better predict efficacy of AMP in specific infections. In this manuscript, we describe what we believe are the key considerations for AST of AMP and hope that this information can better guide the preclinical development of AMP toward becoming a new generation of urgently needed antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marcelo D. T. Torres
- Machine Biology Group, Departments of Psychiatry and Microbiology, Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, Penn Institute for Computational Science, and Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Searle S. Duay
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Emma Lovie
- NovaBiotics Ltd, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Cesar de la Fuente-Nunez
- Machine Biology Group, Departments of Psychiatry and Microbiology, Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, Penn Institute for Computational Science, and Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | | | - Alfredo M. Angeles-Boza
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
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Wu PS, Lai SJ, Fung KM, Tseng TS. Characterization of the structure–function relationship of a novel salt-resistant antimicrobial peptide, RR12. RSC Adv 2020; 10:23624-23631. [PMID: 35517355 PMCID: PMC9054785 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra04299d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are potential candidates in designing new anti-infective agents. However, many AMPs show poor bactericidal activities in physical salt and serum solutions. Here, we disclosed the structure–function relationships of a novel salt-resistant antimicrobial peptide, RR12, which could further explain its mode of action and show its applicability in developing new antibacterial agents. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are potential candidates in designing new anti-infective agents.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping-Sheng Wu
- Division of Infectious Diseases
- Department of Pediatrics
- Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital
- Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation
- New Taipei
| | - Shu-Jung Lai
- Institute of Biological Chemistry
- Academia Sinica
- Taipei 115
- Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences
| | - Kit-Man Fung
- Institute of Biological Chemistry
- Academia Sinica
- Taipei 115
- Taiwan
| | - Tien-Sheng Tseng
- Institute of Molecular Biology
- National Chung Hsing University
- Taichung
- Taiwan
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24
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The interaction with fungal cell wall polysaccharides determines the salt tolerance of antifungal plant defensins. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 5:100026. [PMID: 32743142 PMCID: PMC7389181 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcsw.2019.100026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The fungal cell wall is the first point of contact between fungal pathogens and host organisms. It serves as a protective barrier against biotic and abiotic stresses and as a signal to the host that a fungal pathogen is present. The fungal cell wall is made predominantly of carbohydrates and glycoproteins, many of which serve as binding receptors for host defence molecules or activate host immune responses through interactions with membrane-bound receptors. Plant defensins are a large family of cationic antifungal peptides that protect plants against fungal disease. Binding of the plant defensin NaD1 to the fungal cell wall has been described but the specific component of the cell wall with which this interaction occurred was unknown. The effect of binding was also unclear, that is whether the plant defensin used fungal cell wall components as a recognition motif for the plant to identify potential pathogens or if the cell wall acted to protect the fungus against the defensin. Here we describe the interaction between the fungal cell wall polysaccharides chitin and β-glucan with NaD1 and other plant defensins. We discovered that the β-glucan layer protects the fungus against plant defensins and the loss of activity experienced by many cationic antifungal peptides at elevated salt concentrations is due to sequestration by fungal cell wall polysaccharides. This has limited the development of cationic antifungal peptides for the treatment of systemic fungal diseases in humans as the level of salt in serum is enough to inactivate most cationic peptides.
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Kerenga BK, McKenna JA, Harvey PJ, Quimbar P, Garcia-Ceron D, Lay FT, Phan TK, Veneer PK, Vasa S, Parisi K, Shafee TMA, van der Weerden NL, Hulett MD, Craik DJ, Anderson MA, Bleackley MR. Salt-Tolerant Antifungal and Antibacterial Activities of the Corn Defensin ZmD32. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:795. [PMID: 31031739 PMCID: PMC6474387 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic microbes are developing resistance to established antibiotics, making the development of novel antimicrobial molecules paramount. One major resource for discovery of antimicrobials is the arsenal of innate immunity molecules that are part of the first line of pathogen defense in many organisms. Gene encoded cationic antimicrobial peptides are a major constituent of innate immune arsenals. Many of these peptides exhibit potent antimicrobial activity in vitro. However, a major hurdle that has impeded their development for use in the clinic is the loss of activity at physiological salt concentrations, attributed to weakening of the electrostatic interactions between the cationic peptide and anionic surfaces of the microbial cells in the presence of salt. Using plant defensins we have investigated the relationship between the charge of an antimicrobial peptide and its activity in media with elevated salt concentrations. Plant defensins are a large class of antifungal peptides that have remarkable stability at extremes of pH and temperature as well as resistance to protease digestion. A search of a database of over 1200 plant defensins identified ZmD32, a defensin from Zea mays, with a predicted charge of +10.1 at pH 7, the highest of any defensin in the database. Recombinant ZmD32 retained activity against a range of fungal species in media containing elevated concentrations of salt. In addition, ZmD32 was active against Candida albicans biofilms as well as both Gram negative and Gram-positive bacteria. This broad spectrum antimicrobial activity, combined with a low toxicity on human cells make ZmD32 an attractive lead for development of future antimicrobial molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bomai K Kerenga
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - James A McKenna
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Peta J Harvey
- Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Pedro Quimbar
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Donovan Garcia-Ceron
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Fung T Lay
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Thanh Kha Phan
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Prem K Veneer
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Shaily Vasa
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Kathy Parisi
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Thomas M A Shafee
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Nicole L van der Weerden
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark D Hulett
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Marilyn A Anderson
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark R Bleackley
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
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26
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Yang M, Zhang C, Zhang MZ, Zhang S. Beta-defensin derived cationic antimicrobial peptides with potent killing activity against gram negative and gram positive bacteria. BMC Microbiol 2018; 18:54. [PMID: 29871599 PMCID: PMC5989455 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-018-1190-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Avian β-defensins (AvBD) are cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMP) with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, chemotactic property, and low host cytotoxicity. However, their bactericidal activity is greatly compromised under physiological salt concentrations which limits the use of these peptides as therapeutic agents. The length and the complex structure involving three conserved disulfide bridges are additional drawbacks associated with high production cost. In the present study, short linear CAMPs (11 to 25 a.a. residues) were developed based on the key functional components of AvBDs with additional modifications. Their biological functions were characterized. Results CAMP-t1 contained the CCR2 binding domain (N-terminal loop and adjacent α-helix) of AvBD-12 whereas CAMP-t2 comprised the key a.a. residues responsible for the concentrated positive surface charge and hydrophobicity of AvBD-6. Both CAMP-t1 and CAMP-t2 demonstrated strong antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. However, CAMP-t1 failed to show chemotactic activity and CAMP-t2, although superior in killing Staphylococcus spp., remained sensitive to salts. Using an integrated design approach, CAMP-t2 was further modified to yield CAMP-A and CAMP-B which possessed the following characteristics: α-helical structure with positively and negatively charged residues aligned on the opposite side of the helix, lack of protease cutting sites, C-terminal poly-Trp tail, N-terminal acetylation, and C-terminal amidation. Both CAMP-A and CAMP-B demonstrated strong antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa and methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) strains. These peptides were resistant to major proteases and fully active at physiological concentrations of NaCl and CaCl2. The peptides were minimally cytotoxic to avian and murine cells and their therapeutic index was moderate (≥ 4.5). Conclusions An integrated design approach can be used to develop short and potent antimicrobial peptides, such as CAMP-A and CAMP-B. The advantageous characteristics, including structural simplicity, resistance to salts and proteases, potent antimicrobial activity, rapid membrane attacking mode, and moderate therapeutic index, suggest that CAMP-A and CAMP-B are excellent candidates for development as therapeutic agents against multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa and methicillin-resistant staphylococci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yang
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Chunye Zhang
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Michael Z Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.,Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Shuping Zhang
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA. .,Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.
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Antibacterial Activity of the Non-Cytotoxic Peptide (p-BthTX-I)₂ and Its Serum Degradation Product against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22111898. [PMID: 29113051 PMCID: PMC6150245 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22111898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Revised: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides can be used systemically, however, their susceptibility to proteases is a major obstacle in peptide-based therapeutic development. In the present study, the serum stability of p-BthTX-I (KKYRYHLKPFCKK) and (p-BthTX-I)₂, a p-BthTX-I disulfide-linked dimer, were analyzed by mass spectrometry and analytical high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Antimicrobial activities were assessed by determining their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) using cation-adjusted Mueller-Hinton broth. Furthermore, biofilm eradication and time-kill kinetics were performed. Our results showed that p-BthTX-I and (p-BthTX-I)₂ were completely degraded after 25 min. Mass spectrometry showed that the primary degradation product was a peptide that had lost four lysine residues on its C-terminus region (des-Lys12/Lys13-(p-BthTX-I)₂), which was stable after 24 h of incubation. The antibacterial activities of the peptides p-BthTX-I, (p-BthTX-I)₂, and des-Lys12/Lys13-(p-BthTX-I)₂ were evaluated against a variety of bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains. Des-Lys12/Lys13-(p-BthTX-I)₂ and (p-BthTX-I)₂ degraded Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms. Additionally, both the peptides exhibited bactericidal activities against planktonic S. epidermidis in time-kill assays. The emergence of bacterial resistance to a variety of antibiotics used in clinics is the ultimate challenge for microbial infection control. Therefore, our results demonstrated that both peptides analyzed and the product of proteolysis obtained from (p-BthTX-I)₂ are promising prototypes as novel drugs to treat multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
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Selective phenylalanine to proline substitution for improved antimicrobial and anticancer activities of peptides designed on phenylalanine heptad repeat. Acta Biomater 2017; 57:170-186. [PMID: 28483698 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2017.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Revised: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Introducing cell-selectivity in antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) without compromising the antimicrobial and anti-endotoxin properties is a crucial step towards the development of new antimicrobial agents. A peptide designed on phenylalanine heptad repeat possesses significant cytotoxicity along with desired antimicrobial and anti-endotoxin properties. Amino acid substitutions at 'a' and/or 'd' positions of heptad repeats of AMPs could alter their helical structure in mammalian membrane-mimetic environments and cytotoxicity towards mammalian cells. Since proline is a helix breaker, effects of selective proline substitution(s) at 'a' and/or 'd' positions of a 15-residue peptide designed on phenylalanine heptad repeat (FR-15) were investigated. Proline-substituted FR-15 variants were highly selective toward bacteria and fungi over hRBCs and murine 3T3 cells and also retained their antibacterial activities at high salt, serum and elevated temperatures. These non-cytotoxic variants also inhibited LPS-induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines in human monocytes, THP-1, RAW 264.7 and in BALB/c mice. The two non-cytotoxic variants (FR8P and FR11P) showed potent anti-cancer activity against highly metastatic human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 with IC50 values less than 10μM. At sub-IC50 concentrations, FR8P and FR11P also showed anti-migratory and anti-invasive effects against MDA-MB-231 cells. FR8P and FR11P induced cellular apoptosis by triggering intrinsic apoptotic pathway through depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential and activation of caspases. Overall the results demonstrated the utilization of selective phenylalanine to proline substitution in a heptad repeat of phenylalanine residues for the design of cell-selective, broad-spectrum AMPs with significant anti-cancer properties. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE We have demonstrated a methodology to design cell-selective potent antimicrobial and anti-endotoxin peptides by utilizing phenylalanine zipper as a template and replacement of phenylalanine residue(s) from "a" and/or "d" position(s) with proline residue(s) produced non-cytotoxic AMPs with improved antibacterial properties against the drug-resistant strains of bacteria. The work showed that the 'a' and 'd' positions of the phenylalanine heptad repeat could be replaced by an appropriate amino acid to control cytotoxicity of the peptide without compromising its potency in antimicrobial and anti-endotoxin properties. The direct bacterial membrane targeting mechanism of proline substituted analogs of parent peptide makes difficult for bacteria to grow resistance against them. The peptides designed could be lead molecules in the area of sepsis as they possess significant anti-LPS activities for in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly since cancer cells and bacterial cell membranes possess the structural resemblances, the cancer cells are also targets for these peptides making them lead molecules in this field. However, unlike in bacteria where the peptides showed membrane permeabilization property to lyse them, the peptides induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells to inhibit their proliferation and growth. The results are significant because it reveals that "a" and "d" positions of a phenylalanine zipper can be utilized as switches to design cell-selective, antimicrobial, anti-endotoxin and anticancer peptides.
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Identification of GXXXXG motif in Chrysophsin-1 and its implication in the design of analogs with cell-selective antimicrobial and anti-endotoxin activities. Sci Rep 2017; 7:3384. [PMID: 28611397 PMCID: PMC5469811 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-03576-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine fish antimicrobial peptide, chrysophsin-1 possesses versatile biological activities but its non-selective nature restricts its therapeutic possibilities. Often small alterations in structural motifs result in significant changes in the properties of concerned proteins/peptides. We have identified GXXXXG motif in chrysophsin-1. Glycine residue(s) of this motif in Chrysophsin-1 was/were replaced with alanine, valine and proline residue(s). Of these, proline-substituted Chrysophsin-1 analogs exhibited significantly reduced cytotoxicity towards mammalian cells. Further, these analogs showed broad-spectrum activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains and fungi and also retained antibacterial activity in presence of physiological salts, serum and at elevated temperatures indicative of their therapeutic potential. These Chrysophsin-1 analogs also inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced pro-inflammatory responses in THP-1 cells and in murine primary macrophages. One of these single proline-substituted Chrysophsin-1 analogs inhibited LPS-stimulated pro-inflammatory cytokine production in BALB/c mice and elicited appreciable survival of mice administered with a lethal dose of LPS in a model of severe sepsis. The data for the first time showed the implication of GXXXXG motifs in functional and biological properties of an antimicrobial peptide and could be useful to design novel anti-microbial and anti-endotoxin peptides by employing this motif.
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